CUPID'S REVENGE.

Clow.We shall never reachLondon, I fear;My mind runs so much of hanging, landing atWapping.[Exeunt.

Enter Mariana.

This well may be a day of joy long wish'd forTo myClarissa, she is innocent.Nor can her youth but with an open bosomeMeetHymenspleasing bounties, but to meThat am inviron'd with black guilt and horrorIt does appear a funeral though promising muchIn the conception were hard to mannageBut sad in [the] event, it was not hateBut fond indulgence in me to preserveCesario'sthreatn'd life in open courtThen forc'd me to disclaime him, choosing ratherTo rob him of his birthright, and honorThan suffer him to run the hazard ofInrag'dBaptista'sfury, while he lives;I know I have a Son, and the Dukes sentenceA while deluded, and this tempest over,When he assures himself despair hath seiz'd him.[Knock within.

Enter Baptista.

I can relieve and raise him—speak, who is itThat presses on my privacies? Sir your pardon.You cannot come unwelcome, though it wereTo read my secret thoughts.Bap.Lady to youMine shall be ever open; Lady said I,That name keeps too much distance, sister ratherI should have stil'd you, and I now may claime it,Since our divided families are made oneBy this blessed marriage; to whose honor comesThe Duke in person, waited on by allThe braveries of his Court, to witness it,And then to be our ghests, is the bride readyTo meet and entertain him?Maria.She attends the comming of your Son.Bap.Pray you bring her forth.The Duke's at hand—Musick, in her loud voyce,Speaks his arrivall.Maria.She's prepar'd to meet it.[—Exit.

I can relieve and raise him—speak, who is itThat presses on my privacies? Sir your pardon.You cannot come unwelcome, though it wereTo read my secret thoughts.

Bap.Lady to youMine shall be ever open; Lady said I,That name keeps too much distance, sister ratherI should have stil'd you, and I now may claime it,Since our divided families are made oneBy this blessed marriage; to whose honor comesThe Duke in person, waited on by allThe braveries of his Court, to witness it,And then to be our ghests, is the bride readyTo meet and entertain him?

Maria.She attends the comming of your Son.

Bap.Pray you bring her forth.The Duke's at hand—Musick, in her loud voyce,Speaks his arrivall.

Maria.She's prepar'd to meet it.[—Exit.

EnterMariana, Clarissa,led by two Maids: at the otherdoor, Baptistameets withMentivole,led by two Cour[t]iers,the Duke, Bishop; divers Attendants: (A Song) whilstthey salute.

Duke.It were impertinent to wish you joy,Since all joyes dwell about you,HymenstorchWas never lighted with a luckierOmen.Nor burnt with so much splendor, to deferWith fruitless compliment, the means to makeYour certain pleasures lawful to the world;Since in the union of your hearts they areConfirm'd already: would but argue usA boaster of our favours; to the Temple,And there the sacred knot once ti'd, all triumphsOur Dukedom can afford, shall grace your Nuptials.

EnterAlbertoandCesario.

Bap.On there.Ment.I hope it is not in the powerOf any to cross us now.Alber.But in the breathOf a wrong'd Father I forbid the Banes.Cesar.What, do you stand at gaze?Bap.Risen from the dead!Maria.Although the Sea had vomited up the FigureIn which thy better part liv'd long imprison'd,True love despising fear, runs thus to meet it.Claris.In duty I kneel to it.Alber.Hence vile wretches,To you I am a substance incorporeal,And not to be prophan'd, with your vile touch?That could so soon forget me, but such thingsAre neither worth my Anger, nor reproof.To you great Sir, I turn my self and theseImmediate Ministers of your Government,And if in my rude language I transgress;Ascribe it to the cold remembrance ofMy services, and not my rugged temper.Duke.Speak freely, be thy language ne'er so bitter,To see thee safeAlberto, signes thy pardon.Alber.My pardon? I can need none, if it be notReceiv'd for an offence. I tamely bearWrongs, which a slave-bornMuscovitewould check at.Why if for Treason I had been deliver'dUp to the Hangmans Axe, and this dead trunkUnworthy of a Christian Sepulchre;Expos'd a prey to feed the ravenous Vulture,The memory of the much I oft did for you,Had you but any touch of gratitude,Or thought of my deservings, would have stopp'd youFrom these unjust proceedings.Duke.Hear the motives that did induce us.Alber.I have heard them all,Your Highness sentence, the whole Court abus'd,By the perjuries and practice of this woman.(Wepest thouCrocodile) my hopeful son,Whom I dare swear mine own, degraded ofThe honors that descend to him from me:And from that, in his love scorn'd by a creatureWhose base birth, though made eminent by her beauty,Might well have mark'd her outCesario'sservant,All this I could have pardon'd and forgot;But that my daughter with my whole EstateSo hardly purchas'd, is assign'd a Dower;To one whose Father, and whose FamilyI so detest; that I would lose my essenceAnd be transformed to a BasiliskeTo look them dead, to me's an injuryAdmits no satisfaction.Bap.There's none offer'd.Alber.Nor would not be accepted,Though upon thy knees 'twere tender'd.Maria.Now the storm grows high.Bap.But that I thought thee dead, and in thy deathThe brinie Ocean had entomb'd thy name;I would have sought a Wife in aBordelloFor myMentivole, and gladly hugg'dHer spurious issue as my lawful Nephews,Before his blood should e'er have mix'd with thine;So much I scorn it.Alber.I'll not bandy words, but thus dissolve the contract.Bap.There I meet thee, and seize on what's mine own.Alber.For all my service,Great Sir, grant me the combat with this wretch,That I may scourge his insolence.Bap.I kneel for it.Cesar.And to approve my selfAlberto'sSon,I'll be his second upon any odds,'Gainst him that dare most ofBaptista'srace.Menti.Already upon honourable terms,In me thou hast met thy better, for her sakeI'll add no more.Alber.Sir, let our swords decide it.Maria.Oh stay Sir, and as you would hold the TitleOf a just Prince, e'r you grant licence toThese mad-mens fury, lend your private earTo the most distress'd of Women.Duke.Speak, 'tis granted.[He takesMarianaaside.Clar.In the mean time, let notClarissabeA patient looker on, though as yet doubtful,To whom to bend her knee first, yet to allI stoop thus low in duty, and would washThe dust of fury with my Virgin tears,From his bless'd feet, and make them beautifulThat would move to conditions of peace,Though with a snail-like pace, they all are wing'dTo bear you to destruction: reverend Sirs,Think on your antient friendship cementedWith so much bloud, but shed in noble action,Divided now in passion for a brawl;The Makers blush to own, much lov'dCesario.Brother, or friend, (each Title may prevail,)Remember with what tenderness from our childhoodWe lov'd together, you preferring meBefore your self, and I so fond of youThat it begot suspition in ill mindsThat our affection was incestuous.Think of that happy time, in which I knowThat with your dearest bloud you had preventedThis shower of tears from me;Mentivole,My Husband, registred in that bright star-chamber,Though now on earth made strangers, be the exampleAnd offer in one hand the peacefulOliveOf concord, or if that can be deniedBy powerful intercession in the otherCarry theHermianrod, and force attonement,Now we will not be all marble. Death's the worst thenAnd he shall be my Bridegroom.[Offers to kill her self.Ment.HoldClarissa, his loving violence needs mustOffer in spite of honor.—[He snatches away her knife, and sets it to his own breast, she staies his hand.Duke.Was it to that end then on your Religion?Mar.And my hope in Heaven, Sir.Duke.We then will leave intreaties, and make useOf our authority, must I cry ai-meTo this unheard of insolence? in my presenceTo draw your swords, and as all reverenceThat's due to Majesty were forfeited,Cherish this wildeness! sheath them instantly,And shew an alteration in your looks, or by my power.Alber.Cut off my head.Bap.And mine, rather than hear of peace with this bad man.I'll not alone, give up my throat, but sufferYour rage to reach my family.

Bap.On there.

Ment.I hope it is not in the powerOf any to cross us now.

Alber.But in the breathOf a wrong'd Father I forbid the Banes.

Cesar.What, do you stand at gaze?

Bap.Risen from the dead!

Maria.Although the Sea had vomited up the FigureIn which thy better part liv'd long imprison'd,True love despising fear, runs thus to meet it.

Claris.In duty I kneel to it.

Alber.Hence vile wretches,To you I am a substance incorporeal,And not to be prophan'd, with your vile touch?That could so soon forget me, but such thingsAre neither worth my Anger, nor reproof.To you great Sir, I turn my self and theseImmediate Ministers of your Government,And if in my rude language I transgress;Ascribe it to the cold remembrance ofMy services, and not my rugged temper.

Duke.Speak freely, be thy language ne'er so bitter,To see thee safeAlberto, signes thy pardon.

Alber.My pardon? I can need none, if it be notReceiv'd for an offence. I tamely bearWrongs, which a slave-bornMuscovitewould check at.Why if for Treason I had been deliver'dUp to the Hangmans Axe, and this dead trunkUnworthy of a Christian Sepulchre;Expos'd a prey to feed the ravenous Vulture,The memory of the much I oft did for you,Had you but any touch of gratitude,Or thought of my deservings, would have stopp'd youFrom these unjust proceedings.

Duke.Hear the motives that did induce us.

Alber.I have heard them all,Your Highness sentence, the whole Court abus'd,By the perjuries and practice of this woman.(Wepest thouCrocodile) my hopeful son,Whom I dare swear mine own, degraded ofThe honors that descend to him from me:And from that, in his love scorn'd by a creatureWhose base birth, though made eminent by her beauty,Might well have mark'd her outCesario'sservant,All this I could have pardon'd and forgot;But that my daughter with my whole EstateSo hardly purchas'd, is assign'd a Dower;To one whose Father, and whose FamilyI so detest; that I would lose my essenceAnd be transformed to a BasiliskeTo look them dead, to me's an injuryAdmits no satisfaction.

Bap.There's none offer'd.

Alber.Nor would not be accepted,Though upon thy knees 'twere tender'd.

Maria.Now the storm grows high.

Bap.But that I thought thee dead, and in thy deathThe brinie Ocean had entomb'd thy name;I would have sought a Wife in aBordelloFor myMentivole, and gladly hugg'dHer spurious issue as my lawful Nephews,Before his blood should e'er have mix'd with thine;So much I scorn it.

Alber.I'll not bandy words, but thus dissolve the contract.

Bap.There I meet thee, and seize on what's mine own.

Alber.For all my service,Great Sir, grant me the combat with this wretch,That I may scourge his insolence.

Bap.I kneel for it.

Cesar.And to approve my selfAlberto'sSon,I'll be his second upon any odds,'Gainst him that dare most ofBaptista'srace.

Menti.Already upon honourable terms,In me thou hast met thy better, for her sakeI'll add no more.

Alber.Sir, let our swords decide it.

Maria.Oh stay Sir, and as you would hold the TitleOf a just Prince, e'r you grant licence toThese mad-mens fury, lend your private earTo the most distress'd of Women.

Duke.Speak, 'tis granted.[He takesMarianaaside.

Clar.In the mean time, let notClarissabeA patient looker on, though as yet doubtful,To whom to bend her knee first, yet to allI stoop thus low in duty, and would washThe dust of fury with my Virgin tears,From his bless'd feet, and make them beautifulThat would move to conditions of peace,Though with a snail-like pace, they all are wing'dTo bear you to destruction: reverend Sirs,Think on your antient friendship cementedWith so much bloud, but shed in noble action,Divided now in passion for a brawl;The Makers blush to own, much lov'dCesario.Brother, or friend, (each Title may prevail,)Remember with what tenderness from our childhoodWe lov'd together, you preferring meBefore your self, and I so fond of youThat it begot suspition in ill mindsThat our affection was incestuous.Think of that happy time, in which I knowThat with your dearest bloud you had preventedThis shower of tears from me;Mentivole,My Husband, registred in that bright star-chamber,Though now on earth made strangers, be the exampleAnd offer in one hand the peacefulOliveOf concord, or if that can be deniedBy powerful intercession in the otherCarry theHermianrod, and force attonement,Now we will not be all marble. Death's the worst thenAnd he shall be my Bridegroom.[Offers to kill her self.

Ment.HoldClarissa, his loving violence needs mustOffer in spite of honor.—[He snatches away her knife, and sets it to his own breast, she staies his hand.

Duke.Was it to that end then on your Religion?

Mar.And my hope in Heaven, Sir.

Duke.We then will leave intreaties, and make useOf our authority, must I cry ai-meTo this unheard of insolence? in my presenceTo draw your swords, and as all reverenceThat's due to Majesty were forfeited,Cherish this wildeness! sheath them instantly,And shew an alteration in your looks, or by my power.

Alber.Cut off my head.

Bap.And mine, rather than hear of peace with this bad man.I'll not alone, give up my throat, but sufferYour rage to reach my family.

EnterProspero, Juliana, Biancha.

Alb.And my name to be no more remembred.Duke.What are these?Ces.Biancha, 'tisBiancha, stillBiancha: but strangelyalter'd.Bapt.If that thirteen yearsOf absence could raze from my memoryThe figure of my friend, I might forget thee;But if thy Image be graven on my heart,Thou art myProspero.Pros.Thou myBaptista?Duke.A suddain change!Bap.I dare not ask, dear friendIfJulianalive! for that's a blessingI am unworthy of, but yet denie notTo let me know the place she hath made happyBy having there her Sepulchre.Pros.If your Highness please to vouchsafe a patientEar, we shall make a true relation of a storyThat shall call on your wonder.Duke.Speak, we hear you.Pros.Baptista's fortune in theGenouaCourt,His banishment, with his fair Wife's restraintYou are acquainted with; what since hath follow'dI faithfully will deliver. E'r eight MoonsAfterBaptista's absence were compleat,FairJulianafound the pleasures, thatThey had injoy'd together, were not barren,And blushing at the burthen of her womb,No father near to own it, it drew onA violent sickness, which call'd down compassionFrom the angry Duke, then careful of her health.Physitians were enquir'd of, and their judgmentPrescrib'd the Baths ofLucaas a meansFor her recovery; to my charge it pleas'd herTo be committed; but as on the wayWe journey'd, those throws only known to WomenCame thick upon her, in a private Village.Bap.She died?Pros.Have patience, she brought to the worldA hopeful Daughter; for her bodies sicknessIt soon decay'd, but the grief of her mindHourly increas'd, and life grew tedious to her,And desperate e'er to see you; she injoyn'd meTo place her in aGreekishMonastery,And to my care gave up her pretty Daughter.Bapt.What Monastery? as a Pilgrim bare-foot,I'll search it out.Pros.Pray you interrupt me not,Now to my fortunes; the girl well dispos'd ofWith a faithful friend of mine, my cruel fateMade me a prisoner to theTurkishGallies,Where for 12 years, these hands tugg'd at the Oar,But fortune tyr'd at length with my afflictions,Some Ships ofMalthamet theOttomanFleet,Charg'd them, and boarded them, and gave me freedom.With my deliverers I serv'd, and gotSuch reputation with the great MasterThat he gave me command over a tallAnd lusty ship, where my first happy serviceWas to redeemAlbertorumour'd dead,But was like me surpriz'd byCortugogly.Alber.I would I had died there.Pros.And from him learningBaptistaliv'd, and their dissolv'd friendship,I hois'd up sails forGreece, foundJulianaA votary at her Beads; having made knownBoth that you liv'd, and where you were: she borrow'dSo much from her devotion, as to wish meTo bring her to you; if the object please you,With joy receive her.Bapt.Rage and fury leave me.[Throws away his sword.I am so full of happiness, there's no room leftTo entertain you, oh my long lost Jewel,Light of mine eyes, my souls strength.Julia.My best Lord, having embrac'd you thus,Death cannot fright me.Bapt.Live long to do so, though I should fix here.Pardon meProspero, though I enquire my daughters fortune.Pros.That your happinessMay be at all parts perfect, here she is!Ces.Biancha, daughter to a Princess.Pros.True with my faithful Host I left her,And with him till now she hath resided,Ignorant both of her birth and greatness.Bap.Oh my blest one. Joy upon joy o'erwhelms me.Duke.Above wonder.Alb.I do begin to melt too, this strange storyWorks much upon me.Duke.Since it hath pleas'd heavenTo grace us with this miracle, I that amHeavens instrument here, determine thus;AlbertoBe not unthankful for the blessings shown you,Nor youBaptista; discord was yet neverA welcome sacrifice; therefore rage laid by,Embrace as friends, and let pass'd differenceBe as a dream forgotten.Bap.'Tis to me.Alber.And me, and thus confirm it.Duke.And to tye itIn bonds not to be broken, with the marriageOf youngMentivole, and fairClarissa,So you consent great Lady, yourBianchaShall callCæsarioHusband.Julia.'Tis a motion I gladly yield to.Cesar.One in which you make a sad man happy.[Offers to kneel.Bian.Kneel not, all forgiven.

Alb.And my name to be no more remembred.

Duke.What are these?

Ces.Biancha, 'tisBiancha, stillBiancha: but strangelyalter'd.

Bapt.If that thirteen yearsOf absence could raze from my memoryThe figure of my friend, I might forget thee;But if thy Image be graven on my heart,Thou art myProspero.

Pros.Thou myBaptista?

Duke.A suddain change!

Bap.I dare not ask, dear friendIfJulianalive! for that's a blessingI am unworthy of, but yet denie notTo let me know the place she hath made happyBy having there her Sepulchre.

Pros.If your Highness please to vouchsafe a patientEar, we shall make a true relation of a storyThat shall call on your wonder.

Duke.Speak, we hear you.

Pros.Baptista's fortune in theGenouaCourt,His banishment, with his fair Wife's restraintYou are acquainted with; what since hath follow'dI faithfully will deliver. E'r eight MoonsAfterBaptista's absence were compleat,FairJulianafound the pleasures, thatThey had injoy'd together, were not barren,And blushing at the burthen of her womb,No father near to own it, it drew onA violent sickness, which call'd down compassionFrom the angry Duke, then careful of her health.Physitians were enquir'd of, and their judgmentPrescrib'd the Baths ofLucaas a meansFor her recovery; to my charge it pleas'd herTo be committed; but as on the wayWe journey'd, those throws only known to WomenCame thick upon her, in a private Village.

Bap.She died?

Pros.Have patience, she brought to the worldA hopeful Daughter; for her bodies sicknessIt soon decay'd, but the grief of her mindHourly increas'd, and life grew tedious to her,And desperate e'er to see you; she injoyn'd meTo place her in aGreekishMonastery,And to my care gave up her pretty Daughter.

Bapt.What Monastery? as a Pilgrim bare-foot,I'll search it out.

Pros.Pray you interrupt me not,Now to my fortunes; the girl well dispos'd ofWith a faithful friend of mine, my cruel fateMade me a prisoner to theTurkishGallies,Where for 12 years, these hands tugg'd at the Oar,But fortune tyr'd at length with my afflictions,Some Ships ofMalthamet theOttomanFleet,Charg'd them, and boarded them, and gave me freedom.With my deliverers I serv'd, and gotSuch reputation with the great MasterThat he gave me command over a tallAnd lusty ship, where my first happy serviceWas to redeemAlbertorumour'd dead,But was like me surpriz'd byCortugogly.

Alber.I would I had died there.

Pros.And from him learningBaptistaliv'd, and their dissolv'd friendship,I hois'd up sails forGreece, foundJulianaA votary at her Beads; having made knownBoth that you liv'd, and where you were: she borrow'dSo much from her devotion, as to wish meTo bring her to you; if the object please you,With joy receive her.

Bapt.Rage and fury leave me.[Throws away his sword.I am so full of happiness, there's no room leftTo entertain you, oh my long lost Jewel,Light of mine eyes, my souls strength.

Julia.My best Lord, having embrac'd you thus,Death cannot fright me.

Bapt.Live long to do so, though I should fix here.Pardon meProspero, though I enquire my daughters fortune.

Pros.That your happinessMay be at all parts perfect, here she is!

Ces.Biancha, daughter to a Princess.

Pros.True with my faithful Host I left her,And with him till now she hath resided,Ignorant both of her birth and greatness.

Bap.Oh my blest one. Joy upon joy o'erwhelms me.

Duke.Above wonder.

Alb.I do begin to melt too, this strange storyWorks much upon me.

Duke.Since it hath pleas'd heavenTo grace us with this miracle, I that amHeavens instrument here, determine thus;AlbertoBe not unthankful for the blessings shown you,Nor youBaptista; discord was yet neverA welcome sacrifice; therefore rage laid by,Embrace as friends, and let pass'd differenceBe as a dream forgotten.

Bap.'Tis to me.

Alber.And me, and thus confirm it.

Duke.And to tye itIn bonds not to be broken, with the marriageOf youngMentivole, and fairClarissa,So you consent great Lady, yourBianchaShall callCæsarioHusband.

Julia.'Tis a motion I gladly yield to.

Cesar.One in which you make a sad man happy.[Offers to kneel.

Bian.Kneel not, all forgiven.

Duke.With the Duke your Uncle I will make attonement, and will have no denial.

Enter Host, Forobosco,Clown and Officers.

Mar.Let this day be still held sacred.Host.Now if you can conjure, let the Devil unbind you.Foro.We are both undone.Clow.Already we feel it.Host.Justice Sir.Duke.What are they?

Mar.Let this day be still held sacred.

Host.Now if you can conjure, let the Devil unbind you.

Foro.We are both undone.

Clow.Already we feel it.

Host.Justice Sir.

Duke.What are they?

Pros.I can resolve you, slaves freed from the GalliesBy the Viceroy ofSicilia.

Duke.What's their offence?Host.The robbing me of all my Plate and Jewels, I mean the attempting of it.Clow.Please your Grace I will now discover this Varlet in earnest, this honest pestilent rogue, profest the Art of Conjuring, but all the skill that ever he had in the black Art, was in making a Seacole fire; only with wearing strange shapes, he begot admiration amongst Fools and Women.Foro.Wilt thou peach thou varlet?Duke.Why does he goggle with his eyes, and stalke so?Clow.This is one of his Magical raptures.Foro.I do vilifie your censure, you demand if I am guilty, whir says my cloak by a trick of Legerdemain, now I am not guilty, I am guarded with innocence, pure Silver Lace I assure you.Clow.Thus have I read to you your virtues, which notwithstanding I would not have you proud of.Foro.Out thou concealment of Tallow, and counterfeitMummia.Duke.To the Gallies with them both.Clow.The only Sea-physick for a knave, is to be basted in a Gally, with the oil of a Bulls Peesel.Foro.And will not you make a sour face at the same sauce, sirrah? I hope to find thee so lean in one fortnight, thou mayst be drawn by the ears through the hoop of [a] firkin.Duke.Divide them, and away with them to th' Gallies.Clow.This will take down your pride, Jugler.Duke.This day that hath given birth to blessings beyond hope, admits no criminal sentence: to the Temple, and there with humbleness, praise heavens bounties;

Duke.What's their offence?

Host.The robbing me of all my Plate and Jewels, I mean the attempting of it.

Clow.Please your Grace I will now discover this Varlet in earnest, this honest pestilent rogue, profest the Art of Conjuring, but all the skill that ever he had in the black Art, was in making a Seacole fire; only with wearing strange shapes, he begot admiration amongst Fools and Women.

Foro.Wilt thou peach thou varlet?

Duke.Why does he goggle with his eyes, and stalke so?

Clow.This is one of his Magical raptures.

Foro.I do vilifie your censure, you demand if I am guilty, whir says my cloak by a trick of Legerdemain, now I am not guilty, I am guarded with innocence, pure Silver Lace I assure you.

Clow.Thus have I read to you your virtues, which notwithstanding I would not have you proud of.

Foro.Out thou concealment of Tallow, and counterfeitMummia.

Duke.To the Gallies with them both.

Clow.The only Sea-physick for a knave, is to be basted in a Gally, with the oil of a Bulls Peesel.

Foro.And will not you make a sour face at the same sauce, sirrah? I hope to find thee so lean in one fortnight, thou mayst be drawn by the ears through the hoop of [a] firkin.

Duke.Divide them, and away with them to th' Gallies.

Clow.This will take down your pride, Jugler.

Duke.This day that hath given birth to blessings beyond hope, admits no criminal sentence: to the Temple, and there with humbleness, praise heavens bounties;

For blessings ne'er descend from thence, but whenA sacrifice in thanks ascends from men.[Exeunt omnes.

WOMEN.

EnterDorialus, Agenor, Nisus.

Agenor.Trust me my LordDorialus, I had mist of this, if you had not call'd me; I thought the Princesses birth-day had been to morrow.Nisus.Why, did your Lordship sleep out the day?Dor.I marvel what the Duke meant to make such an idle vow.Nis.Idle, why?Dor.Is't not idle, to swear to grant his Daughter any thing she shall ask on her birth-day? she may ask an impossible thing: and I pray heaven she do not ask an unfit thing at one time or other; 'tis dangerous trusting a mans vow upon the discretion on's Daughter.Age.I wonder most at the Marquis her Brother, who is always vehemently forward to have her desires granted.Dor.He's acquainted with 'em before.Age.She's doubtless very chaste and virtuou.Dor.So isLeucippusher brother.

Agenor.Trust me my LordDorialus, I had mist of this, if you had not call'd me; I thought the Princesses birth-day had been to morrow.

Nisus.Why, did your Lordship sleep out the day?

Dor.I marvel what the Duke meant to make such an idle vow.

Nis.Idle, why?

Dor.Is't not idle, to swear to grant his Daughter any thing she shall ask on her birth-day? she may ask an impossible thing: and I pray heaven she do not ask an unfit thing at one time or other; 'tis dangerous trusting a mans vow upon the discretion on's Daughter.

Age.I wonder most at the Marquis her Brother, who is always vehemently forward to have her desires granted.

Dor.He's acquainted with 'em before.

Age.She's doubtless very chaste and virtuou.

Dor.So isLeucippusher brother.

Nis.She's twenty year old, I wonderShe aske not a Husband.Dor.That were a folly in her; having refus'd all theGreat Princes in one part of the world;She'll die a Maid.Age.She may ask but one, may she?Nis.A hundred times this day if she will;And indeed, every day is such a day, for thoughThe Duke has vow'd it only on this day,He keeps it every day: he can denyHer nothing.[Cornets.

Nis.She's twenty year old, I wonderShe aske not a Husband.

Dor.That were a folly in her; having refus'd all theGreat Princes in one part of the world;She'll die a Maid.

Age.She may ask but one, may she?

Nis.A hundred times this day if she will;And indeed, every day is such a day, for thoughThe Duke has vow'd it only on this day,He keeps it every day: he can denyHer nothing.[Cornets.

EnterHidaspes, Leucippus, Leontius,Timantas,Tellamon.

Leon.Come fairHidaspes, thou artDuchess to day,Art thou prepar'd to aske, thou knowestMy oath will force performance.AndLeucippus, if she now ask ought that shall,Or would have performanceAfter my death, when by the help of heaven,This Land is thine, accursed be thy race,May every one forget thou art my Son,And so their own obedience.Leucip.Mighty Sir,I do not wish to know that fatal hour,That is to make me King, but if I do,I shall most hastily, (and like a Son)Perform your grant[s] to all, chiefly to her:Remember that you aske what weAgreed upon.Leon.Are you prepar'd? then speak.Hida.Most Royal Sir, I am prepar'd,Nor shall my Will exceed a Virgins bounds,What I request shall both at once bringMe a full content.Leon.So it ever does:Thou only comfort of my feeble age,Make known thy good desire,For I dare swear thou lov'st me.Hidas.This is it I beg,And on my knees. The people of your Land,TheLycians, are through all the NationsThat know their name, noted to have in useA vain and fruitless superstition;So much more hateful, that it bears the shewOf true Religion, and is nothing elseBut a false-pleasing bold lasciviousness.Leon.What is it?Hidas.Many ages before this,When every man got to himself a Trade,And was laborious in that chosen course,Hating an idle life, far worse than death:Some one that gave himself to Wine and Sloth,Which breed lascivious thoughts;And found himself conjoyn'dFor that by every painful man,To take his stain away, fram'd to himselfAgod, whom he pretended to obey,In being thus dishonest, for a nameHe call'd himCupid. This createdgod,Mans nature being ever credulousOf any vice that takes part with his blood,Had ready followers enow: and sinceIn every age they grew, especiallyAmongst your Subjects, who do yet remainAdorers of that drowsie Deitie:Which drink invented: and the winged Boy,(For so they call him) has his sacrifices.These loose naked statues through the Land,And in every Village, nay the palaceIs not free from 'em. This is my request,That these erect[ed] obscene ImagesMay be pluckt down and burnt: and every manThat offers to 'em any sacrifice, may lose his life.Leon.But be advis'd my fairest daughter, if he beA god, he will express it upon thee my child:Which heaven avert.Leucip.There is no such power:But the opinion of him fills the LandWith lustful sins: every young man and maidThat feel the least desire to one another,Dare not suppress it, for they think it isBlindCupid'smotion: and he is a god.Leon.This makes our youth unchaste. I am resolv'd:NephewIsmenus, break the Statues downHere in the Palace, and command the CityDo the like, let proclamationsBe drawn, and hastily sent through the LandTo the same purpose.Ismen.Sir, I will break down none my self,But I will deliver your command:Hand I will have none in't, for I like it not.Leon.Goe and command it. Pleasure of my life,Wouldst thou ought else? make many thousand suits,They must and shall be granted.Hid.Nothing else.[ExitIsmenus.Leon.But go and meditate on other suits,Some six days hence I'll give thee Audience again,And by a new oath, bind my self to keep it:Ask largely for thy self, dearer than lifeIn whom I may be bold to call my self,More fortunate than any in my age,I will deny thee nothing.Leu.'Twas well done, Sister.[Exeunt all but these three Lords.Nis.How like you this request my Lord[s]?Dor.I know not yet, I am so full of wonder,We shall be gods our selves shortly,And we pull 'em out of Heaven o' this fashion.Age.We shall have wenches now when we canCatch 'em, and we transgress thus.Nis.And we abuse the gods once, 'tis a JusticeWe should be held at hard meat: for my part,I'll e'en make ready for mine own affection,I know the god incenst must send a hardnessThrough all good Womens hearts, and then we haveBrought our Eggs and Muskadine to a fair Market:Would I had giv'n a 100 l. for a tolleration,That I might but use my conscience in mineOwn house.Dor.The Duke he's old and past it, he wouldNever have brought such a plague upon the Land else,'Tis worse than Sword and Famine:Yet to say truth, we have deserv'd it, we have liv'dSo wickedly, every man at his Livery, and wou'd thatWou'd have suffic'd us: we murmur'd at thisBlessing, that was nothing; and cry'd out to theGod for endless pleasures, he heard us,And supp[l]ied us, and our Women were new stillAs we need 'em: yet we like beasts still cry'd,Poor men can number their woers, give usAbundance: we had it, and this curse withal.Age.Berlady we are like to have a longLenton't,Flesh shall be flesh: now Gentlemen I had ratherHave anger'd all the gods, than that blind Gunner.I remem[b]er once the people did but slight himIn a sacrifice: and what followed?Women kept their houses, grew good huswivesHonest forsooth! was not that fine?Wore their own faces,Though they wear gay cloaths without surveying,And which was most lamentable,They lov'd their Husbands.Nis.I do remember it to my grief,Young Maids were as cold as CowcumbersAnd much of that complexion:Bawds were abolisht: and, to which miseryIt must come again,There were no Cuckolds,Well, we had need pray to keep theseDivels from us,The times grow mischievous.There he goes, Lord!

Leucip.Mighty Sir,I do not wish to know that fatal hour,That is to make me King, but if I do,I shall most hastily, (and like a Son)Perform your grant[s] to all, chiefly to her:Remember that you aske what weAgreed upon.

Leon.Are you prepar'd? then speak.

Hida.Most Royal Sir, I am prepar'd,Nor shall my Will exceed a Virgins bounds,What I request shall both at once bringMe a full content.

Leon.So it ever does:Thou only comfort of my feeble age,Make known thy good desire,For I dare swear thou lov'st me.

Hidas.This is it I beg,And on my knees. The people of your Land,TheLycians, are through all the NationsThat know their name, noted to have in useA vain and fruitless superstition;So much more hateful, that it bears the shewOf true Religion, and is nothing elseBut a false-pleasing bold lasciviousness.

Leon.What is it?

Hidas.Many ages before this,When every man got to himself a Trade,And was laborious in that chosen course,Hating an idle life, far worse than death:Some one that gave himself to Wine and Sloth,Which breed lascivious thoughts;And found himself conjoyn'dFor that by every painful man,To take his stain away, fram'd to himselfAgod, whom he pretended to obey,In being thus dishonest, for a nameHe call'd himCupid. This createdgod,Mans nature being ever credulousOf any vice that takes part with his blood,Had ready followers enow: and sinceIn every age they grew, especiallyAmongst your Subjects, who do yet remainAdorers of that drowsie Deitie:Which drink invented: and the winged Boy,(For so they call him) has his sacrifices.These loose naked statues through the Land,And in every Village, nay the palaceIs not free from 'em. This is my request,That these erect[ed] obscene ImagesMay be pluckt down and burnt: and every manThat offers to 'em any sacrifice, may lose his life.

Leon.But be advis'd my fairest daughter, if he beA god, he will express it upon thee my child:Which heaven avert.

Leucip.There is no such power:But the opinion of him fills the LandWith lustful sins: every young man and maidThat feel the least desire to one another,Dare not suppress it, for they think it isBlindCupid'smotion: and he is a god.

Leon.This makes our youth unchaste. I am resolv'd:NephewIsmenus, break the Statues downHere in the Palace, and command the CityDo the like, let proclamationsBe drawn, and hastily sent through the LandTo the same purpose.

Ismen.Sir, I will break down none my self,But I will deliver your command:Hand I will have none in't, for I like it not.

Leon.Goe and command it. Pleasure of my life,Wouldst thou ought else? make many thousand suits,They must and shall be granted.

Hid.Nothing else.[ExitIsmenus.

Leon.But go and meditate on other suits,Some six days hence I'll give thee Audience again,And by a new oath, bind my self to keep it:Ask largely for thy self, dearer than lifeIn whom I may be bold to call my self,More fortunate than any in my age,I will deny thee nothing.

Leu.'Twas well done, Sister.[Exeunt all but these three Lords.

Nis.How like you this request my Lord[s]?

Dor.I know not yet, I am so full of wonder,We shall be gods our selves shortly,And we pull 'em out of Heaven o' this fashion.

Age.We shall have wenches now when we canCatch 'em, and we transgress thus.

Nis.And we abuse the gods once, 'tis a JusticeWe should be held at hard meat: for my part,I'll e'en make ready for mine own affection,I know the god incenst must send a hardnessThrough all good Womens hearts, and then we haveBrought our Eggs and Muskadine to a fair Market:Would I had giv'n a 100 l. for a tolleration,That I might but use my conscience in mineOwn house.

Dor.The Duke he's old and past it, he wouldNever have brought such a plague upon the Land else,'Tis worse than Sword and Famine:Yet to say truth, we have deserv'd it, we have liv'dSo wickedly, every man at his Livery, and wou'd thatWou'd have suffic'd us: we murmur'd at thisBlessing, that was nothing; and cry'd out to theGod for endless pleasures, he heard us,And supp[l]ied us, and our Women were new stillAs we need 'em: yet we like beasts still cry'd,Poor men can number their woers, give usAbundance: we had it, and this curse withal.

Age.Berlady we are like to have a longLenton't,Flesh shall be flesh: now Gentlemen I had ratherHave anger'd all the gods, than that blind Gunner.I remem[b]er once the people did but slight himIn a sacrifice: and what followed?Women kept their houses, grew good huswivesHonest forsooth! was not that fine?Wore their own faces,Though they wear gay cloaths without surveying,And which was most lamentable,They lov'd their Husbands.

Nis.I do remember it to my grief,Young Maids were as cold as CowcumbersAnd much of that complexion:Bawds were abolisht: and, to which miseryIt must come again,There were no Cuckolds,Well, we had need pray to keep theseDivels from us,The times grow mischievous.There he goes, Lord!

Enter one with an Image.

This is a sacriledge I have not heard of:Would I were gelt, that I might notFeel what follows.Age.And I too. You shall see within theseFew years, a fine confusion i'the Countrey: mark it:Nay, and we grow for to depose the Powers,And set up Chastity again, well, I have done.A fine new goddess certainly, whose blessingsAre hunger and hard beds.Nis.This comes of fulness, a sin too frequent with usI believe now we shall find shorter commons.Dor.Would I were married, somewhat has some favour;The race of Gentry will quite run out now,'Tis only left to Husbands, if younger SistersTake not the greater charity, 'tis lawful.Age.Well, let come what will come,I am but one, and as the plague falls,I'll shape my self: If Women will be honest, I'll be sound.If thegodbe not too unmerciful,I'll take a little still, where I can get it,And thank him, and say nothing.Nis.This ill wind yet may blow the City good,And let them, (if they can) get their own children,They have hung long enough in doubt, but howsoever, theold way was the surer, then they had 'em.Dor.Farewel my Lords, I'll e'en take up what Rent I canbefore the day, I fear the year will fall out ill.Age.We'll with you Sir: And love so favour us,As we are still thy servants. Come my Lords;Let's to the Duke, and tell him to what follyHis doting now has brought him.[Exeunt.

This is a sacriledge I have not heard of:Would I were gelt, that I might notFeel what follows.

Age.And I too. You shall see within theseFew years, a fine confusion i'the Countrey: mark it:Nay, and we grow for to depose the Powers,And set up Chastity again, well, I have done.A fine new goddess certainly, whose blessingsAre hunger and hard beds.

Nis.This comes of fulness, a sin too frequent with usI believe now we shall find shorter commons.

Dor.Would I were married, somewhat has some favour;The race of Gentry will quite run out now,'Tis only left to Husbands, if younger SistersTake not the greater charity, 'tis lawful.

Age.Well, let come what will come,I am but one, and as the plague falls,I'll shape my self: If Women will be honest, I'll be sound.If thegodbe not too unmerciful,I'll take a little still, where I can get it,And thank him, and say nothing.

Nis.This ill wind yet may blow the City good,And let them, (if they can) get their own children,They have hung long enough in doubt, but howsoever, theold way was the surer, then they had 'em.

Dor.Farewel my Lords, I'll e'en take up what Rent I canbefore the day, I fear the year will fall out ill.

Age.We'll with you Sir: And love so favour us,As we are still thy servants. Come my Lords;Let's to the Duke, and tell him to what follyHis doting now has brought him.[Exeunt.

Priest ofCupid,with four young menand Maids.

Priest.Come my children, let your feet,In an even measure meet:And your chearful voices rise,For to present this Sacrifice;Lo greatCupid, in whose name,I hisPriestbegin the same.Young men take your Loves and kiss,Thus ourCupidhonour'd isKiss again, and in your kissing,Let no promises be missing:Nor let any Maiden here,Dare to turn away her ear,Unto the whisper of her Love,But give Bracelet, Ring or Glove,As a token to her sweeting,Of an after secret meeting:Now boy sing to stick our heartsFuller of greatCupid'sdarts.

SONG.

Lovers rejoyce, your pains shall be rewarded,The god of Love himself grieves at your crying:No more shall frozen honor be regarded,Nor the coy faces of a Maids denying.No more shall Virgins sigh, and say we dare not,For men are false, and what they do they care not,All shall be well again, then do not grieve,Men shall be true, and Women shall believe.Lovers rejoyce, what you shall say henceforth.When you have caught your Sweet-hearts in your arms,It shall be accounted Oracle, and Worth:No more faint-hearted Girls shall dream of harms,And cry they are too young, the god hath said,Fifteen shall make a Mother of a Maid:Then wise men, pull your Roses yet unblown,Love hates the too ripe fruit that falls alone.

Lovers rejoyce, what you shall say henceforth.When you have caught your Sweet-hearts in your arms,It shall be accounted Oracle, and Worth:No more faint-hearted Girls shall dream of harms,And cry they are too young, the god hath said,Fifteen shall make a Mother of a Maid:Then wise men, pull your Roses yet unblown,Love hates the too ripe fruit that falls alone.

The Measure.

After the Measure, EnterNiloand others.

Nilo.No more of this: here break your Rights for ever,The Duke commands it so; Priest do not stare,I must deface your Temple, though unwilling,And your godCupidhere must make a Scare-crowFor any thing I know, or at the best,Adorn a Chimney-piece.Priest.Oh Sacriledge unheard of!Nilo.This will not help it, take down the Image[s]And away with 'em.Priest, change your coat you had best, all service nowIs given to men: Prayers above their hearingWill prove but bablings: learn to lye and thrive,'Twill prove your best profession: for the gods,He that lives by 'em now, must be a beggar.There's better holiness on earth they say,Pray God it ask not greater sacrifice. Go home,And if [y]our god be not deaf as well as blind,He will [make] some smoak for it.Gent.Sir—Nilo.Gentlemen, there is no talking,This must be done and speedily;I have commission that I must not break.Gent.We are gone, to wonder what shall follow.Nilo.On to the next Temple.[Exeunt.

Priest.Oh Sacriledge unheard of!

Nilo.This will not help it, take down the Image[s]And away with 'em.Priest, change your coat you had best, all service nowIs given to men: Prayers above their hearingWill prove but bablings: learn to lye and thrive,'Twill prove your best profession: for the gods,He that lives by 'em now, must be a beggar.There's better holiness on earth they say,Pray God it ask not greater sacrifice. Go home,And if [y]our god be not deaf as well as blind,He will [make] some smoak for it.

Gent.Sir—

Nilo.Gentlemen, there is no talking,This must be done and speedily;I have commission that I must not break.

Gent.We are gone, to wonder what shall follow.

Nilo.On to the next Temple.[Exeunt.

Cornets. Descendit Cupid.

Cupid.Am I then scorn'd? is my all-doing WillAnd Power, that knows no limit, nor admits none,Now look'd into by less than gods? and weak'nedAm I, whose Bow struck terror through the earth,No less than Thunder, and in this, exceedingEven gods themselves; whose knees before my AltarsNow shook off; and contemn'd by such, whose livesAre but my recreation! anger riseMy sufferance and my self are made the subjectOf sins against us. Go thou out displeasure,Displeasure of a great god, flying thy selfThrough all this Kingdom: sow what ever evilsProud flesh is [taking of], amongst these Rebels:And on the first heart that despise my Greatness,Lay a strange misery, that all may knowCupid'srevenge is mighty; with his ArrowHotter than plagues or mine own anger, will INow nobly right my self: nor shall the prayersNor [sweete] smoaks on my Altars hold my hand,Till I have left this a most wretched Land.[Exit.

EnterHidaspes,and Cleophila.

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